Dogs Displaced By Hurricane Find New Shelter In Jamestown

Eric Tichy

City Editor

etichy@post-journal.com

Three dogs displaced by Hurricane Irma in Florida are currently up for adoption at the Chautauqua County Humane Society in Jamestown. The dogs traveled more than 1,100 miles following Irma’s strike, which left their Florida shelter flooded and without power. Pictured, from left, are Rem, Mac and Bradley.
Submitted photos

Three dogs displaced by Hurricane Irma in Florida are hoping to find new homes in Chautauqua County after traveling more than 1,100 miles with the help of a few nonprofit adoption agencies.

The dogs — Rem, a 1-year-old mixed breed; Mac, a 5-year-old mixed breed; and Bradley, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever/mix — were part of a group of 25 housed at the Brevard County Animal Care Center in Melbourne, Fla. The dogs were removed from the center due to flooding and power failure as the result of the hurricane.

Irma struck the west coast of Florida beginning Sept. 10 and was responsible for more than 70 deaths in the state.

Following the storm, dozens of animals were taken to a shelter in Anderson County, South Carolina, on Sept. 17. From there many of the animals were taken to the Ten Lives Club in Buffalo, a nonprofit group that provides shelter to abused, stray and surrendered pets that would otherwise have no place to go.

Last year Ten Lives Club took in 1,579 cats, all but two of which found homes through adoption.

After a quick stop in the Buffalo, three of the displaced dogs arrived at the Chautauqua County Humane Society in Jamestown. The Ten Lives Club previously worked with the local Humane Society, which paved the way for the latest partnership.

“When approached about taking them, we said we could help just as they have helped us in the past,” said Sue Bobek, director of animal services at the Humane Society. “Rescues and shelters working together and putting the animals first is what animal welfare should be. We are on the same team.”

Bobek said it has become more common for shelters in the south to send animals north when they become too full or during natural disasters when shelters might be destroyed or lack services. She said several shelters can coordinate together to move dozens of animals in a short amount of time if needed.

That was the case with Irma.

“You want to put the animals somewhere where they can get to a shelter,” Bobek said. “A lot of the time that means going north.”

The three pooches are currently available for adoption. Bobek said she expects the dogs to find new homes quickly.

“They’re happy and they’re healthy,” she said. “I don’t expect them to be here too long.”

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is located at 2825 Strunk Road in Jamestown. Anyone interested in adoption is asked to call 665-2209, visit spcapets.com or message the group through the Humane Society’s Facebook page.